BEARing Gifts Program: Bringing Holiday Joy to Houston’s Most Vulnerable Children
This holiday season, you can help bring smiles to over 26,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children in the greater Houston area through the BEARing Gifts program, a vital initiative from BEAR (Be A Resource for CPS Kids). BEARing Gifts provides brand-new holiday presents to children under the care of Child Protective Services (CPS), offering them a chance to experience the joy of the season despite their difficult circumstances. As the number of children in CPS care continues to grow, this program plays a crucial role in ensuring that children who might otherwise go without holiday cheer receive gifts, comfort, and dignity during this special time of year.
The program offers multiple ways for the community to get involved, with five ways to help: sponsoring a child, hosting a toy drive, donating money, shopping directly from BEAR’s Amazon wishlist, or volunteering at various events throughout the season. BEAR’s work is made possible by its partnerships with local businesses and organizations, as well as the generosity of the community. Each year, volunteers and donors come together to fulfill the holiday wishes of children who have experienced unimaginable hardship, making a real difference in their lives.
Currently, there are 16,000 children involved in CPS cases across the Greater Houston Area, with over 1,000 being removed from their homes every month due to emergency situations. BEAR is the only 501(c)(3) organization working in direct partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults to provide not only the basic necessities for these children but also programs that celebrate their successes and help them achieve brighter futures. In the 25 years since BEAR’s founding, the organization has grown significantly, with its budget expanding from $7,000 to over $2 million. As the need for services increases, so does the need for continued community support to help meet the growing demand.
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There are several ways you can contribute to this year’s BEARing Gifts program. To sponsor a child, simply submit your request to receive a child’s wish list, and purchase at least one item from that list. If you're interested in hosting a toy drive, you can collect new, unwrapped gifts and drop them off at one of BEAR’s many drop-off locations. BEAR also offers an Amazon wishlist for those who prefer to shop online, with gifts sent directly to BEAR's office for distribution. All donations, whether toys, money, or time, are gratefully accepted and go directly to helping children who are in the most need during the holiday season.
Last year, BEAR was able to serve over 26,000 children, thanks to the generosity of volunteers, donors, and local businesses. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a lasting impact on a child’s holiday experience. For those who wish to volunteer, there are various opportunities to get involved, including helping at BEAR's warehouse, assisting with toy drives, or supporting events like Santa’s Workshop. The program also welcomes monetary donations to ensure that children’s wishes are fulfilled. Donations can be made directly on BEAR’s website, and all donations are tax-deductible.
With the holiday season fast approaching, there is no better time to make a difference. Whether you sponsor a child, donate gifts, host a toy drive, or volunteer your time, your contribution will help bring hope and joy to children who need it most. Together, we can make the holidays brighter for the children of BEAR’s BEARing Gifts program and continue to support them long after the season has ended.
How You Can Get Involved:
- Sponsor a Child: Receive a child’s wish list and provide a gift (or more) for that child.
- Host a Toy Drive: Collect new, unwrapped toys and drop them off at BEAR’s warehouse or partner locations.
- Donate Monetarily: Support BEARing Gifts with a monetary donation, which goes directly to fulfilling holiday wishes.
- Shop on Amazon: Purchase gifts from BEAR’s Amazon wishlist and have them sent directly to BEAR.
- Volunteer: Help at BEAR’s headquarters or partner locations by organizing donations, assisting with events, or helping distribute gifts.
For more information on how to contribute or volunteer, visit BEAR’s website or contact Merri Hahn at Merri.Hahn@harriscountytx.gov.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
